Transcript Verb Tenses
Verb Tenses Present Past Future Present Simple = V1 (he, she, it = V1 + ‘s’) A fact Something that happens regularly Time clues: Every day / week / month / year Always / never Often / seldom Usually Three times a week Negative: don’t / doesn’t + V1 Examples: They walk their dog every day. They don’t go shopping together very often. She plays the flute in the orchestra. Present Progressive = is / am / are + V1+ing Something that is happening right at the moment Something that is happening in the near future Time clues: Now Right now At the moment Examples: The student is writing on the board. The cheerleader is auditioning for the squad tomorrow. The student is crying about his grade. Past Simple = V2 (V1 + ed / irregulars) Something that happened completely in the past Time clues: Yesterday Last week / month / year A week ago Negative: didn’t + V1 Examples: They surfed the Internet for information for their project. The penguin didn’t know which way to go! We took the history test yesterday. Past Progressive = was / were + V1+ing As you tell a story in the past… Two things were happening at the same time One thing was happening and another happened before or after it Something was happening at a specific time (at 3:00 pm) Time Clues: As While When Examples: He was filling the car with gas while the motor was still running. When he woke up, it was snowing outside. He was driving the car when suddenly he hit a tree. He was watching his favorite show at 10 pm. Present Perfect = have / has + V3 “Since then, until now” Something that has happened in the past that affects the present Time Clues: For Since Yet Already Never / ever Examples: I haven’t been to Paris since 1995. They have towed my car for the second time this week! The alarm clock hasn’t rung yet. Present Perfect Progressive = have / has + been + V1+ing Something has been happening for a period of time and until now Example: The veterinarian has been taking care of my cat for five years. Past Perfect = had + V3 ….. V2 Something had happened before another thing happened Time Clues: Before By the time Examples: I had arrived home, by the time it started raining. Before I threw the frisbee, my dog had jumped up to catch it. Past Perfect Progressive = had + been + V1+ing …. V2 Something had been happening for a period of time before another happened Example: I had been calling her all morning but she didn’t answer the phone. Future = will + V1 is / am / are going to + V1 Something will happen or is going to happen Time Clues: Tomorrow Next week / month / year Later today / tonight Negative: will + not = won’t Examples: I am going to meet my friend at the cafe’ later. She will visit her friend in the hospital tomorrow. Test Yourself = Practice the verb tenses 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. I ________(live) in Tel Aviv for six years. My mom _______ (give) me money to go shopping yesterday. By the time I _______ (call) for a taxi, the rain ________ (stop). What _____ you ______ (do) at 10 pm last night? I hope you _________ (come) to my party tomorrow night. I ________ (take) the bus to school every day. Quiet please! I ________ (try) to study. I __________ (plan) a trip to the US this summer. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. _____ you __________ (study) English for many years? I _____________ (talk) on the phone when the fax came in. How often do you usually_______ (go) to the gym? ______ you ______ (help) me with the homework? We ___________ (work) on the project together. It’s due next week. She __________ (sleep) right now. I’ll tell her you called. I ___________ (read) the book yet. Can I borrow it? I ________ (not like) the movie we saw last night.